An exciting post for The Stylish Stuff today – yes, it’s insider-tip time from one of the greats of make-up, Mary Greenwell. Her work has been an inspiration my entire career and continues to be so. The Vogue covers of Cindy, Christy, Kate et al adorned my walls for years, and when she and hairdresser, Sam McKnight worked their combined, creative magic on Princess Diana, she was transformed from 80’s Sloane into a thoroughly modern Princess and fashion icon. Mary Greenwell’s career went stratospheric. As in demand now as she was then, she continues to jet around the world to make-up the red-carpeting A list, such as Cate Blanchett, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Chastain and Ellie Goulding, plus still find time to create make-up looks for the major fashion magazines, advertising campaigns and International catwalks. When you watch ‘how to’ videos made by Mary, you will notice her very hands-on approach to beauty, for instance less use of brushes and more use of fingers to apply product. This is something I really relate to, and when she talks about the hygiene of brushes versus getting the feel of the skin when applying foundation with fingers, well, it just makes sense. She dabs, blends and really pushes the product into the skin for a perfect finish and natural glow. It’s seamless.
Mary has joined forces with M&S as beauty ambassador and today shares with us her key products for the latest Ageless Beauty campaign. I’ve test-driven this look at home and it’s flattering, easy to do and has taught me some new ways to apply product. A fresh look from the mind of Mary, erm, yes please.
Mary Greenwell
A collage of Mary’s work and collaborations with celebrity from her Instagram page. Follow her @marygreenwell
Do try this at home….
MARY’S M&S BEAUTY MUST HAVES:
Pixi Glow Tonic, a great skincare product suitable for all skin types and all ages it leaves the skin with a beautiful natural glow.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/glow-tonic-250ml/p/p22424632?prevPage=plp
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer, This hydrating primer is again suitable for all skin types and ages, but will enable make up to stay put throughout the day and will leave the skin with a radiant glow. Mary’s Top Tip: Always use a primer to give your make up staying power throughout the day.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/flawless-beauty-primer-30ml/p/p22424587?prevPage=srp
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, This is a great foundation to use to create a natural flawless finish – Mary’s Top Tip: Only apply the foundation to the centre of the face and then gently blend it out. This creates a luminous glow on the key areas that the light naturally hits.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/healthy-mix-foundation-30ml/p/p22435276?prevPage=plp
Stila Stay all day Bronzer, This bronzer has no red undertones so if the perfect shade to add a warm glow to the skin but can also be doubled up and used to contour the face. Mary’s Top Tip: Apply the bronzer by brushing it onto the hairline, underneath the cheekbone and under the jawline to give the perfect amount of warmth to the skin.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-in-1-baked-trio-bronzing-powder-4-5g/p/p22330697?prevPage=plp
Autograph’s Pressed Powder, to finally complete your makeup this pressed powder will matify the skin whilst leaving you with a natural finish. Mary’s Top Tip: Apply along the nose, but leave the centre of the nose naturally shiny, sweep the powder under the eyes, across the T-zone. This will set the makeup but will maintain a gorgeous glow to the skin.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/smooth-matt-pressed-powder-9g/p/p22131925?prevPage=plp
Diego Dalla Palmer Concealer SPF10 – The perfect concealer to use under the eye area to target dark shadows and to generally give a lift to the eye area. Mary’s top Tip: Lightly blend the concealer under the eyes and continuing onto the outer cheekbones to create the perfect amount of coverage.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/concealer-spf10-8ml/p/p22404861?prevPage=plp
Rosie for Autograph Starstruck Highlighter in Get the Glow, use to highlight your cheek bones. Mary’s Top Tip: Use your fingers to gently apply along the cheek bones, use a dotting action along the cheek bones, this will provide the perfect amount of shimmer and highlight.
Autograph Pure Luxe Multi Blusher in Soft Coral, a great shade for keeping the cheeks soft and minimal apply a light wash of colour to give a natural finish.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-luxe-multi-blusher/p/p22352642?prevPage=plp
Barry M Lip Pencil in Plum, A perfect match to the lipstick I have chosen for this look, apply to the lips natural lip line. Mary’s Top Tip: By adding lip liner it will plump up the appearance of the lips and prevents lipstick travelling into the small creases around the mouth.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/lip-liner-1-4g/p/p22434593?prevPage=plp
Stila Lipstick in Evangeline, Gradually layer on the colour and finish the lips by going back over them with lip liner to perfect the look and enhance the colour that little bit more.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/colour-balm-lipstick-3-5g/p/p22330856?prevPage=plp
Pur Minerals Secret Crush Palette, This eyeshadow palette contains the perfect neutral shades for all skin tones and types to create the perfect effortless eye makeup. Apply the lightest shade just underneath the brow, which will highlight and create a gorgeous subtle shimmer that accentuates the brow bone. Next take a darker, warmer tone from the palette and lightly blend over the whole eye lid, apply by patting the colour on in stages, which will build the colour gradually. Mary’s Top Tip: Work a little more colour into the corner of the eye socket, as this area can tend to droop as we get slightly older.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/secret-crush-palette/p/p22420845?prevPage=plp
Rosie for Autograph Gel Eyeliner in Star Empire, A Soft gel eyeliner which is so soft to use, a great liner to gradually build the desired colour/results you require. Mary’s Top Tip: When using an eyeliner always build the liner up slowly, focusing on the outer corners of the eyes. If needed, step back and take a second look, then you can always add more until you are happy with the overall shape.
Autograph Ultimate Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Rose Pink, This cream eyeshadow is great for adding depth whilst further enhancing and highlighting the eyes. Mary’s Top Tip: Don’t be frightened to play with shimmer or worry about it highlighting lines and creases, it is all about the placement and technique. Matt colours can be quite ageing, whereas shimmer adds luminosity and softness to the skin.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/ultimate-wear-eye-shadow/p/p22314260?prevPage=plp
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, a great mascara for everyday use and very buildable. Mary’s Top Tip: Ensure you get right into the root of the lashes to make the eyes truly pop. If you only apply mascara to the ends of the lashes, they will never look long and full enough. If you get any mascara residue on the eyelids, gently remove with a cotton bud, the most valuable tool in the world of makeup!
http://www.eyeko.com/mascara/eyeko-black-magic-mascara
Autograph Eyeshadow Palette, to create natural looking brows I always like to use a powder in the perfect brown shade as this doesn’t leave the brows appearing to heavy. When filling in brows always be careful not to use too much product otherwise as this can change the entire look. Mary’s Top Tip: If you have any grey in your eyebrows try not to use a product that has a red undertone as this can make brows appear overdone.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/eyeshadow-palette/p/p22425594?prevPage=plp
Eyeko Brow Gel, always remove any excess product from the brush before applying then apply in short upward strokes using the tip to shape and style for long-lasting hold.
http://www.eyeko.com/eyebrow/eyeko-brow-gel
PS. Just a few of Mary’s most iconic covers. Courtesy of Pinterest / Vogue / Vanity Fair / Bazaar
Fashion & Style Director/Still life, Shelly Vella